COVER - Mr. Tell Williams - Disarming People Through Comedy

If you had told me ten years ago that one of my favorite ways that I would be getting my news is from a super hot half Puerto Rican gay man dressed as Jesus or the Devil I wouldn’t believe you, but Mr. Tell Williams’s hot takes on the political climate help me get through the day. A comedian with a heart of gold, Tell started his social media journey recanting stories from his teaching days and now educates the masses through his wholesome political and social commentary.

Some of my personal favorite videos of his are when he dresses as Jesus or the Devil, while they are cute and fun, I personally love his take on the characters and how they they might not be like what most Christians think they are, but actually a lot more like how I envision them. For example, maybe Jesus would be a fan of feeding kids school lunches and not killing lots of people, who knew?

Another wonderful thing about Tell is that he is a huge feminist and humanitarian. As a man who was raised by strong women he is often throwing his support for women and fighting for us to be treated well. In our current climate, it is so refreshing to see a guy standing up for women. And of course he doesn’t stop there. Tell also works with many LGBTQ+ organizations, mental heath (oh he is also a therapist!), the arts, and food banks. If you don’t already follow him, let our exclusive cover fashion editorial and interview, convince you to! And if you do, you are welcome, because there is nothing better than more Mr. Tell Williams.

Cj Hendry Embraces The Inner Child In Her New Show Pastel

Cj Hendry is known for her extremely creative hyper realism whimsical art. She has a long history of bringing childlike experiences to New York City, from a giant bouncy castle room to tons of beautiful artificial flowers and now her new creation, Pastel.

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 58.3Kira BuccaAugust 7, 2026Art, pop up, Cj Hendry, female artists, nyc, things to doComment

Sway - Vegan Pole Wear That Can Handle All The Tricks!

Agata Jurago-Pach is a vegan environmentally aware sexy as hell pole dancer, who decided to create her own epic vegan eco-friendly pole wear brand, Sway! Naturally, as I am a vegan sustainable minded pole dancer myself, we became quick friends! Agata had always dreamed of being a fashion designer so when she found her way to pole and the options were limited there it was an obvious decision to make pole wear. But pole wear isn’t so easy to make. Pole dancers are strong, opinionated, super flexible, do crazy tricks, and need their skin to stick to the pole! One can’t just throw anything on them and call it a day! They need looks that will stay in place no matter what while slaying! We are also a pretty conscientious. This is where Sway comes in! Super sexy vegan conscientious pole wear that can handle everything we throw at it! Read on to learn more about Agata Jurago-Pach and her inspiring pole brand, Sway!

Hila The Earth Helps Us Connect With The Earth On A Deeper Level While Having Fun!

Hila the Earth is not your everyday performer. A Brooklyn girl with heart, Hila grew up with hip hop and drag queens, and has been freestyling for a long time. The big turning point in her live was when she fell in love with nature and the Earth. This was a game changer! New York City is not known for its green spaces. But Hila, now dressed as the Earth, fully embodies the Earth wherever she goes and performs. With songs like “WAP — Wet Ass Planet” and “Go Parks” you will quickly fall in love with her fervor and wit as she raps and freestyles you into caring about the environment! Read on to learn more about this insanely talented woman and the Earth we all love!

Notep Draws Strength Through Coral Reefs for Upcoming EP

Notep is an electronic musician from Thailand who obtains inspiration and power through the beauty of the oceans, the coral reefs, and nature as a whole. PAKARANG is her upcoming Earth Day-themed EP that details how humanity and nature are one and the same more than they are opposites. She has done work with many environmental organizations including her own initiative called High on Your Own Supply that promotes environmentalism and sustainability to the younger generation through events, projects and lessons.

Editor's Pick, Art, zIssue 58.2Olivia WeberJune 25, 2026notep, olivia weber, oceans, music, electronicmusic, coral reefs, Thailand, enviornment, songwritingComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Melat Kiros, Colorado's 1st Congressional District

The group Justice Democrats is a progressive campaign finance reform organization that endorses candidates who refuse to accept donations from corporate PACs and lobbyists. This year, they are primarily running in states like New York, California, and Illinois, but one endorsed candidate is running in Colorado: Melat Kiros (she/her), a Gen Z former attorney. Melat was born in Ethiopia and immigrated with her family to the United States at the start of the Ethiopian-Eritrean War. In the middle of this campaign for US Congress, she is also working on a PhD in Public Affairs. A one-time barista who worried about making rent, Melat has first-hand experience as a working-class woman and brings that experience to her campaign, which is centered on Medicare for All, abolishing ICE, getting big money out of politics, housing as a human right, and holding AI companies accountable before they eliminate entire workforces without a safety net.

Editor's Pick, SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 58, zIssue 58.2Andrew FJune 22, 2026socialist, Black, blackgirlmagic, lawyer, election 2026, 2026 electionComment

Mai Khoi - Pop Star To Exile

Mai Khoi went from golden album pop star to exile just for standing up for the rights of her people in Vietnam. As Americans we take for granted our right to free speech and to protest. But we now have Mai Khoi helping us to fight to keep that right in America too. Mai Khoi has some of the most incredible rang of a singer I have ever heard. Her songs range from metal banshee to jazz to surreal art. With her new album, Five Years in Exile, just coming out you don’t want to miss it or seeing her live, if you can. But for now, read on to learn more about this absolutely fascinating woman and her art!

Art, Editor's Pick, zIssue 58, zIssue 58.1Kira BuccaMay 26, 2026activism, activist, music, female artists, vietnamComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Janelle Kellman, Lieutenant Governor of California

After eight years, there is a wholesale changing of state government in California this year. Both the governor and lieutenant governor positions are open, and there is a large group of candidates for both offices. Today we are interviewing Janelle Kellman (she/her), a gay woman who is the former mayor of Sausalito. She is an environmental attorney and the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Center for Sea Rise Solutions. A passionate climate justice warrior, Janelle points out that the Lieutenant Governor sits on the State Lands Commission and the Coastal Commission. The lieutenant governor also sits on the University of California Board of Regents, the California State University Board of Trustees, and the Commission for Economic Development. Through these positions, Janelle plans to use the power of the office to to advance climate resilience, public education, housing, good jobs, and a more equitable economy.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Angela Gonzales-Torres, California's 34th Congressional District

This cycle, we are profiling another candidate, Angela Gonzalez-Torres (she/her), a Chicana millennial and community organizer in Los Angeles. She is running in the Congressional district that represents both Downtown and East Los Angeles. After time working on the Highland Park Neighborhood Council, Metro’s Public Safety Advisory Committee, and in the LA Mayor’s office, this district native is now running a grassroots, student-led, community-informed campaign to face the challenges of the highest costs of incarceration, the dirtiest air in Los Angeles County, and the largest number of eviction notices in the city. Angela’s top campaign issues include housing for all, economic dignity and security, healthcare for all, climate action, education and youth empowerment, immigration reform and community advocacy, and a pro-peace foreign policy.

Brittany McVicker: In the Spotlight

Actress, producer, and filmmaker Brittany McVicker stars as Emma in “Terri Joe: Missionary in Miami,” a film that was just listed in a Variety top 10 list. She’s also slated for a lead role in the upcoming thriller Kill Trip set to release this summer. Beyond the screen, she’s a passionate advocate for the Vasculitis Foundation. To learn more about Brittany McVicker and her upcoming projects, read on.

COVER - The Neighborhood Kids Are The Voice Of A Generation

In a time in history when every turn feels bleaker than the next there is a ray of hope emerging to help ride us in this fight to do good and care about each other. The Neighborhood Kids started out as just kids who wanted to make hip hop, but they couldn’t stay quiet to the injustices in the world. Now they are know as, and perfectly named their first album, the “Voice of the Revolution”. And with 233K followers on Instagram alone and millions of views, this generation is listening and ready. We are hungry and tired of the injustice, and there is nothing like a good beat to get us amped up to take on the world. Because if we don’t do it, no one will. Read on to get to know the Neighborhood Kids, their music, and the many nonprofits they work with better.

How The U.S. and Israel’s War On Iran Is Affecting The Global Economy

Since the start of the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran, countries all over the world have been able to feel its repercussions. Countries on edge are starting to impose stricter energy resource conservation measures as critical fuel supplies dwindle, prices are rising worldwide, and the UN is warning of catastrophic consequences the longer this conflict continues, all while U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to continue attacks until Iran surrenders unconditionally. It is estimated the U.S. is spending roughly $890 million a day on this war.

What Is Happening Between Trump and Cuba?

For years Cuba has been plagued with wide-scale failure of power grids, nationwide blackouts, fuel shortages, and high tensions with the United States. Following the capture of Maduro on Jan. 3, the U.S. cut off all supply of Venezuelan oil to Cuba and threatened to impose tariffs on any country that supplies Cuba with fuel. As of mid-March, fuel imports have reduced to near zero and left the country with an increasing economic crisis.

Vanessa Shakib: Advancing Animal Advocacy

Attorney Vanessa Shakib is driving change in the field of animal law through fearless activism. Her work dedicated to protecting animals has been featured by news outlets like CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and more. Shakib is also the co-founder and co-director of the non-profit law firm Advancing Law for Animals. To learn more about Vanessa Shakib and her passion for animal advocacy, read on.

The Unfuck America Tour Inspires Young Voters

Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands! When the democrats weren’t responding to the tours Charlie Kirk were taking to college campuses the National Ground Game Team stepped in. Traveling to college campuses across the country, the Unfuck America Tour is inspiring young voters, shifting perspectives, and directly fighting the propaganda conservative organizations like Turning Point USA are spreading. To learn more about the Unfuck America Tour, read on.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Gina Hinojosa, Governor of Texas

The governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, is one of the most dangerous state-level officials to the existence of democracy, equal representation, civil rights, cost of living, and the labor movement, in the entire country today. This year, Texas has a chance to throw him out of office. Abbott knows this. Gina Hinojosa (she/her), a Texas State Representative for almost 10 years, is running for the Democratic nomination to run against him in November. And she has an impressive list of endorsements: she has the backing of progressive US Representative Greg Casar, Texas Democratic superstar James Talarico, the SEIU, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers, Emily’s List, and the Houston LGBTQ+ political caucus.

SWAC: Influencer, Editor's Pick, zIssue 57.8Andrew FFebruary 26, 20262026 election, Texas, latina, latinx, lawyerComment

Clara Woods: Inspiring Inclusion

Clara Woods is an artist, motivational speaker, influencer, and host of The Inclusion Matters Podcast. Despite suffering from a prenatal stroke that left her unable to read, write, or speak, she has been able to use her passion for art and large social media presence to educate, inspire, and uplift. To learn more about Clara Woods and her art, read on.

What’s Happening in Iran & Why Should We Be Paying Attention?

Over the last 17 years Iranians have taken to the streets to protest their theocratic regime, but recently demonstrations have seen rapid growth. Alongside that increase, thousands of protestors have been severely injured and killed as a result of riot police force’s tear gas and live ammunition.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Amanda Edwards, Texas's 18th Congressional District

Today we are highlighting Amanda Edwards (she/her), a former member of the Houston City Council. Endorsed by EMILY’S List, Amanda is focused on rolling back Trump’s cuts to federal assistance programs, including SNAP, FEMA, Meals on Wheels, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, that affect the constituents in TX-18. Amanda is particularly passionate about supporting equitable health outcomes, having served on a steering committee to address the issue on black maternal deaths among other issues, and being an active proponent of funding measures like the Momnibus Bill to reduce the black maternal death disparities we face.

A Greener Way to Give: The Ultimate Sustainable Gift Guide 2025

Choosing the perfect gift doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense. As more people embrace mindful living, sustainable gifting has become a thoughtful way to celebrate the ones we love while reducing environmental impact. Whether you’re shopping for her, him, teens, beauty enthusiasts, or friends settling into a new home, eco-friendly options now span every interest and style. From ethically crafted essentials to innovative low-waste products, this guide brings together meaningful, sustainable gifts that show you care—about them and the world we share.